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STEM School students praise fallen classmate during graduation ceremony

Posted at 11:25 PM, May 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-21 01:25:31-04

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. -- Seniors at STEM School Highlands Ranch graduated Monday night without one of their brightest and bravest.

Kendrick Castillo was killed taking down one of the alleged shooters at the school on May 7.

"A lot was taken from us that day. Our friend, our school, our sense of our security, our sense of agency and control in our lives — all of this seemed to be stolen from us," valedictorian Emma Goodwill said during the ceremony.

Students also applauded Brendan Bialy and Joshua Jones for their courage disarming the shooter.

Each speaker seemed determined not to let the shooting define their high school experience. They spoke about their love of robotics club and the Technology Student Association.

The graduates of STEM School Highlands Ranch 2019 class will be going to 44 universities in 19 states and two foreign countries. Several more are joining the military and starting their first jobs.